# US 8,751,104 B2 · System and method for updating vehicle computing platform configuration information

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- Number: US 8,751,104 B2
- Document ID: US8751104B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/160,797
- Filed: 2011-06-15
- Published: 2011-09-29
- Granted: 2014-06-10
- Earliest claimed: 2007-04-30
- Assignees: Ford Motor Company
- Applicants: Thomas Hermann; Timothy P. Curtis
- Inventors: Thomas Hermann; Timothy P. Curtis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8751104B2

## CPC

- H04L 41/082: the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
- H04L 41/0816: the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
- H04L 41/0843: {based on generic templates}
- H04L 41/0869: Validating the configuration within one network element
- H04L 63/083: {using passwords (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226)}
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A vehicle includes a computing platform configured with first configuration information, an identification module that receives driver identification information and determines whether to enable the computing platform based on the identification information, and a communication module that establishes communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled. The vehicle also includes an update module that updates the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle comprising:
a computing platform configured with first configuration information;
an identification module configured to (i) receive from a token identification information for a driver, (ii) selectively enable the computing platform such that the first configuration information is accessible to the driver based on the identification information, (ii) monitor subsequent driving behavior, and (ii) selectively prevent access to the computing platform, if enabled, based on the driving behavior without disabling the vehicle to protect configuration information on the computing platform;
a communication module configured to, if the computing platform is enabled, establish communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store remote from the token storing second configuration information; and
an update module configured to update the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information.

### Claim 2

A method for updating first configuration information of a vehicle computing platform comprising:
receiving from a token identification information for a driver;
selectively enabling the computing platform such that the first configuration information is accessible to the driver based on the identification information;
establishing communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store remote from the token storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled;
updating the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information;
monitoring subsequent driving behavior; and
selectively preventing access to the computing platform, if enabled, based on the driving behavior without disabling the vehicle to protect configuration information on the computing platform.

### Claim 3

A method for updating first configuration information of a vehicle computing platform comprising:
selectively enabling the computing platform such that the first configuration information is accessible to a driver based on identification information from a token;
establishing communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store remote from the token storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled;
updating the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information;
monitoring subsequent driving behavior; and
selectively preventing access to the computing platform, if enabled, based on the driving behavior without disabling the vehicle to protect configuration information on the computing platform.